Coach says: "We are working very well. Our team now is more humble ... the system is the same. It's a winner's system."

Star man Isaias says: "The players that left were very important for us but the players that come in will also be very important, and from what I have seen very good."

We say: A shell of the squad which claimed last season's championship. Attacking ranks have been decimated and the Reds have already lost defender Jordan Elsey (knee) for the season. Amor's tactical nous is unquestioned but, like last season, it will take time for his new players to gel.

Coach says: "I can understand why people would write us off because they saw what we were going through, but the off-field issues have made the group stronger again."

Star man Brett Holman says: "When I started my international career I looked up to John (Aloisi) and Craig (Moore). Now hearing John's idea about how he wants this team to play says a lot to me."

We say: The slimmed-down Roar have a solid first XI but from there the quality is questionable. Aloisi has shown his ability under pressure in his first season at the club and a top-half finish will be the aim. There's quality in the final third but much could depend on new midfielder Thomas Kristensen's adaptation to the A-League.

Coach says: "There's no mandate from (owner) Mike Charlesworth. It's try and win football games. For us it's just about being better than yesterday, and this season must be better than last season."

Star man Roy O'Donovan says: "It's a lot more positive with the new manager coming in. The style of play we're trying to play I think will work a treat."

We say: The entertainer Tony Walmsley is gone, and his replacement Paul Okon has been tasked with restoring pride and a winning mentality in Gosford. Challenging? Certainly. But the only way is up after the club's first wooden spoon. Former Young Socceroos coach Okon is well-versed in mentoring young players and has a few more experienced faces to help him in Jacques Faty, Mickael Tavares and skipper Nick Montgomery.

Coach says: "We've been making good progression but in that progression we missed trophies. This club is ready and I think we have the team to achieve that."

Star man Tim Cahill says: "We have a lot of players that have all signed for a minimum of two years ... we're going on a journey now together to try and win something."

We say: Van 't Schip has stacked his deck towards his attack, with much depending on how Tim Cahill and Bruno Fornaroli gel. But perhaps more important is new Danish centre-back Michael Jakobsen. If the key defender goes down, City look short down back. But can anyone stop last year's golden boot winner and the all-time Socceroos leading scorer?

Coach says: "I'm really happy with the squad I've assembled. Any new players would have to be something that really excites us."

Star man Besart Berisha says: "We have new players, great players, hungry players and we had a great pre-season. We didn't lose any games. We looked really sharp, especially up front."

We say: Muscat has spent a lot of time stewing on last season's misfortune and shortcomings and has recruited well to bring two fan favourites back to the club. He fell short in a chase for Ghana star Michael Essien but the squad looks strong, particularly if title-winning linchpin Carl Valeri stays fit.

Coach says: "What's gone on is irrelevant. You've got to work with what you've got, move forward and do the best you can."

Star man Morten Nordstrand says: "We need to work hard to change the mindset. I have a good feeling and I think we can do something. I think we'll be hard to beat."

We say: It's been a tumultuous month for the Jets with the controversial sacking of coach Scott Miller just weeks out from round one. Instability is nothing new in the Hunter and Mark Jones faces a massive battle with limited time to return the club to finals football after six seasons in the doldrums. That said, a promising pre-season and relatively settled squad could lead to improvements.

Coach says: "I think it's probably the best squad we've started with in a season at the Glory."

Star man Rhys Williams says: "Hopefully here I can finish off things that I started before - winning games with this club, making a title push and showing everyone I can be a good player if I stay fit."

We say: Glory are the only foundation club without silverware but have reason to be confident this term. Star trio Rhys Williams, Adam Taggart, and Rostyn Griffiths will bolster an already-powerful squad featuring Johnny Warren medallist Diego Castro, emerging Socceroo Josh Risdon and prolific striker Andy Keogh.

Coach says: "As negative as last year was, I've come out of it as a better coach and person. It's the best I've felt since I've been at Sydney and the players have come out stronger as well."

Star man Bobo says: "I want to win, and Filip (Holosko) told me this was the club to come to. This club will be searching for titles. I want to be a part of that."

We say: After stuttering to seventh place last season, Graham Arnold has recruited well all over the park and, most crucially, bolstered an attack desperately lacking goals last campaign. Brazilian striker Bobo has the potential to be prolific, speedy winger Bernie Ibini is also back on board and with fit-again captain Alex Brosque re-signed, this could be the Sky Blues' year.

Coach says: "We're buzzing in Wellington because we've got such a strong squad. It would have to be the strongest since I've been at the club."

Star man Kosta Barbarouses says: "Moving was easy. The tough part is going to be performing and doing the business on the field. There's good excitement and we want to deliver."

We say: It shouldn't be hard for the Phoenix to improve on last year's dismal ninth placing, particularly with new acquisitions Gui Finkler and Kosta Barbarouses up front. Wellington have also re-jigged an injury-hit back four which leaked 54 goals last season, signing Italian Marco Rossi to partner skipper Andrew Durante in central defence.

Coach says: "I believe that come the turn of the year we'll have a strong squad that can get through the group stage of the Asian Champions League and be challenging for the title again."

Star man Nicolas Martinez says: "My goal is what the team wants: to win trophies. But we have to be consistent."

We say: Another year, another off-season cleanout. Tony Popovic has put a third grand-final defeat in four years behind him and is set on challenging for silverware again. Latest recruits Jumpei Kusukami and Kerem Bulut should help while fans will hope Argentine marquee and playmaker-in-chief Nicolas Martinez is more successful than Italian striker Federico Piovaccari.